How To Reset A Toyota Transmission Control Module (2024)

Updated on September 16, 2022

Your Transmission Control Module is vital in maintaining fuel efficiency and regulating how fuel from your engine goes into the gears. Transmission problems in your Toyota can be expensive to repair and is a common reason behind an illuminated check engine light.

You may want to try and reset your transmission control module at home and see if this fixes your issues. Most Toyota vehicles are easy to perform a TCM Reset and all you’ll need is another pair of hands and a multimeter to disconnect and reset your transmission.

Toyota Transmission Control Module

Your Toyota’s Transmission Control Module (TCM) is an overlooked repair that can cause a lot of problems, and some safety risks too. Your TCM is responsible for sending signals to your car’s transmission for it to properly function which can result in a lot of problems.

Your TCM can become damaged or faulty if it’s corroded, dirty, or damaged much like your battery and this means you may want to reset your Toyota Transmission Control Module to fix any issues before you look into costly garage repair prices.

So how do I reset my Toyota transmission control module? Keep reading and we will show you two fool-proof methods to reset your TCM.

Method One

All you will need is a multimeter and another set of hands to help you safely perform this reset.

1. Start by disconnecting the negative/ground cable from your battery to avoid any electrical shocks when you start working near the computer later on.
2. Remove the positive red cable from your battery, then disconnect it from the starter solenoid.
3. Locate the transmission control module and pull out or unplug it.
4. Find your signal wire (black/white stripe or other color combination) on your TCM harness connector and connect your multimeter to this wire and ground it.
5. Put your transmission into PARK or NEUTRAL and check it reads lower than 11 volts.
6. Start the car by connecting the battery cables in reverse order, and leave it running for 20 seconds to make it ready for the next step.
7. Turn off your engine and disconnect the battery cables and remember to re-connect your TCM signal wire connector
8. Then you can start your car again, and your transmission should be reset and working normally.

Method Two

If the first method didn’t work for you then this next method will work for many automatic transmissions and give you the best chance of smoother gear changes.

1. Start by taking the battery terminals off and leaving it for a few hours to allow any charge to drain completely from the capacitors.
2. Cold-start the engine and with your foot on the brake and move the transmission between “park” and the lowest gear slowly 3 times.
3. Take your car on a slow drive keeping speed to a minimum for 5 minutes using light acceleration.
4. Decelerate without braking to a full stop and leave idle for a minute or two then stop the vehicle and let it sit for another minute.
5. Put your foot on the brake and move the transmission between “park” and the lowest gear 3 times.
6. Take your car for another 5-minute drive not exceeding high speeds and using light acceleration.
7. Decelerate without braking to a full stop and leave idle for a minute or so, then stop the vehicle for another minute.
8. For the next 10 miles avoid hard braking or accelerating to retrain the module.

Do I Need to Clear My Toyota’s Shift Adapts?

After you have repaired, rebuilt, or replaced your transmission, your vehicle will need to relearn the proper adapt settings, allowing the computer to learn your driving habits and gain peak performance.

Different Toyota vehicles will require a variety of methods to perform the shift adapt procedure, so let’s take a look at what method you’ll need.

Battery Disconnection (2000-2005)

Some vehicles don’t recommend disconnecting the battery for extended periods or maintenance as it can cause damage to the onboard computer and put you in a lot of expensive damage costs.

Luckily, we’ve included a handy table to show you which 2000-2005 models aresafe to disconnect the battery as a shift adapt procedure.

Scan Tool (2000-2005)

Some Toyota models will only follow the shift adapt procedure using a scan tool. Having a scan tool allows you to read and access engine light codes and can save you a lot of money by offering at-home diagnostics.

Here are the 2000-2005 Toyota models that require a scan tool to reset the shift adapt.

FAQs

What happens when a transmission control module fails?

When your TCM fails you will find your gear changes are unpredictable and unsafe and your fuel consumption will increase.

Will disconnecting the battery reset TCM?

In some Toyota vehicles disconnecting the battery will not be enough to reset the transmission and you will need to use a scan tool or our other methods to do so.

Can you drive with a bad transmission control module?

Driving with a bad TCM creates unpredictable gear changes and lasting damage to your wiring which is a serious safety risk and could cause injury when driving.

Will a bad TCM throw a code?

Some codes you may find indicate a bad TCM include P0613, P0700, P0706, etc.

Conclusion

A faulty Transmission Control Module can produce a range of safety and control risks to your vehicle that you may overlook, but spotting the signs early is a key way to prevent lasting damage to your engine and wiring to ensure you are always in full control.

By disconnecting your battery, or using a scanning tool you can easily reset your transmission in your Toyota and even avoid expensive mechanic costs.

Remember, if you don’t feel confident enough to perform these steps yourself at home then always ask a trained professional to do them for you.

Get more helpful tips from these related Toyota topics:

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